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History of the Board
2007
Board launches redesigned website.
2006
Board member composition restructured: three public members, four direct patient care RNs, one RN educator, and one RN administrator.
2003
Second sunset review completed before the California Legislature resulted in extension of sunset date for four years.
2002
In collaboration with the Department of General Services, the Board developed an online application system for registered nurses endorsing to California from other states.
2001
The Board became the first California licensing agency to offer online professional license renewal services.
The Board offered online license verification.
Registered nurses became able to change their addresses, request a duplicate license and renew advanced practice certificates online.
The Board streamlined the processing of out-of-state endorsements.
2000
The Board implemented Live-Scan procedures for fingerprinting applicants.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing initiated a new computer system to exchange discipline information between states.
1999
The Board's web page went live.
1998
Certification of Clinical Nurse Specialists established.
1997
First sunset review completed before the California Legislature resulted in extension of sunset date for six years.
The Board replaced paper licenses with tamper-resistant plastic card licenses.
The Board developed an honorary certificate for retiring registered nurses.
1996
Citation and Fine program was implemented.
1994
The last pencil and paper test was given as Computer Adaptive Testing came into existence.
Cost recovery program was implemented.
1993
Certification of public health nurses transferred from Department of Health Services to Board of Registered Nursing.
1992
Furnishing number for nurse midwives established.
1990
Fingerprinting was implemented for all applicants.
1987
Furnishing numbers for nurse practitioners established.
1984
Certification of nurse anesthetists established.
1978
Voluntary certification of nurse practitioners established.
Continuing education became mandatory for license renewal.
1977
Board member composition was established: three public members, three direct patient care RNs, one RN educator, one RN administrator, and one physician.
1976
International applicant licenses were no longer accepted for reciprocity, and were required to pass the State Board Test Pool Examination for licensure.
1975
Board's name was changed to current Board of Registered Nursing. The Nursing Practice Act was amended significantly to provide the current description of nursing. Certification of nurse midwives was established.
1961
Board's name was changed to Board of Nursing Education and Nurse Registration. One public board member was added.
1946
State Board Test Pool Exam (SBTPE) was instituted.
1939
Board of Nurse Examiners was created by legislation within the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards.
The mandatory Nursing Practice Act was established, regulating nursing through licensure of a defined scope of practice.
Five registered nurse board members were appointed by the Governor.
1927
Bureau of Registration of Nurses was placed within the Department of Health under the State Board of Public Health.
1913
Legislature formed Bureau of Registration of Nurses under the State Board of Health. The Bureau was charged with administering the exam, registering qualified registered nurses, accrediting nursing schools, and revoking licenses of nurses found to be unsafe to practice.
1905
University of California Board of Regents was given power by the Legislature to set standards, administer exams, approve educational programs, issue certificates, and revoke certificates of RNs. Use of title "registered nurse" without certification was a misdemeanor.
